Leech Lines
June 12, 2009 by Chris Wethered
Filed under Sailboat Rigging And Marine Rope
All about character
Allowing precise sail adjustment. Leech lines run from the top of mainsails and foresails to bottom. Depending on what you want from your sail, you can tweak these lines it improve the sail characteristics. Wind dictates how well a sail curves. The curve of the sail relates to the efficiency of the boat to use the wind.
The speed differential of one side of the sail to the other is how the boat moves through the water. Same with airplane wings. These ropes tend to be pre stretched, so this won’t occur for the customer. Some sailors spend a lot of time perfecting the leech for the conditions. Used in relation to other “tweaker strings” this can be the difference of 1/2 a knot over the ground.
just to the right of the clew runs the leech line which offers tuning
What’s the difference?
That extra half a knot makes a difference! You can get from A to B quicker, making your crew happy to keep sailing. It’s always a shame to switch the engine on at the end of the day. Having the right leech lines in your sails means, less engine expense! So give yours a look over and discover whether you could get more from the wind!
Taking the lead starts here
You can buy more here. Provided by West Marine. They have the right product for you. Their forty years of being in business is clearly demonstrated in their customer service.
Take advantage! West Marine are offering a 10% discount, when you spend over $100!
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Halyards
June 12, 2009 by Chris Wethered
Filed under Sailboat Rigging And Marine Rope
Is stretching slowing boatspeed?
Boat speed is determined by a range of factors. Stretched halyards are one of them. Because sail shape is linked to boat speed, your lines are contributing to the speed of your sailboat.
Of course they are designed for the task at hand, but they do suffer over time. Stretched lines mean weak lines. You can easily check them out.
Do the following:
- Look out for memory when you coil them
- Hold a couple of feet in your hand and see whether it falls towards the deck or stays in the air
- Look at the overall condition of the line, color, ease of flaking
Quick checks
These simply checks can help you determine whether you need to buy more halyards. This could be the key to improved boat speed! Better sail trim, improves boat speed.
Check out that sail shape - beautiful and fast!
Here's the practical advantage
By raising your average boat speed you will benefit. Suppose your out cruising with your family and you've decided to round it off and go back home. In order for the tide to be in your
favor you need that fraction more from the sails. So the sails are set and you've done all you can do with the vang. But the speed does not change! You can't get the sail trim to meet
Catch the tide!
with the prevailing wind and you wont catch that tide either! It's down to the depreciated condition of your halyards. So you motor in, instead. That's a shame when you could have sailed.
Good news
Here's the good news! You may need some of that! West Marine supplies halyards to suit all sailboats, you can browse through below and get the boat speed you deserve!
Want more for your money? West Marine are giving away 10% on orders over £100!
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How To Rig Sailboats
June 10, 2009 by Chris Wethered
Filed under Sailboat Rigging And Marine Rope
You need to buy a tension gauge in order to be able to correctly measure and change your backstay and shrouds. As conditions change, so the set up on the boat should change accordingly. If the rig is not set up for the conditions it may become fatigued and lead to failure.
Mainsail
Attach the sail to the boom, using the shackle provided on the boom. Put the battens in to the pockets, hopefully they are numbered, so you put the correct ones in. Now put the head of the sail into the track.
Try to ensure the progress of the sail up the mast wont be impeded. Before hoisting attach the sail on to the goose neck. You are now ready to hoist. By pulling the correct halyard you save a lot of nuisance! Once the sail is raised attach the vang.
Jib
Attach bag to cable railing. Fasten the hanks, tie the sheets with a bowline to the stern hank. Attach head shackle to halyard and hoist!
Spinnaker
Attach the spinnaker bag. Attach guys and sheets, having checked they run properly either outside of everything or inside, depending. Guys run outside of everything back through the pulleys aft. Sheets are put through the pulleys mid ship and then run on winches. Raise the pole and hoist when down wind.
Quality products available now - buy today
Getting the best quality products is a great way to increase the efficiency of your sailboat. Quality products last longer and deliver optimum performance throughout their lifetimes. West Marine stock those products.
You don't have to leave this page to take advantage! Just scroll down and order today.
Did you know about the 10% discount at West Marine right now?
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